University made documentary back in 2000. Covering the arrival of a huge multiplex 'Cineworld' cinema to Luton, Bedfordshire and the impact it has on Luton's small 'ABC Cinema' and its loyal staff members.
I used to work there as a projectionist in 1985 to 1987, The Chief projectionist was indeed Vic Harvey, Trevor Welton was the Senior Projectionist. Kinoton FP20 projectors and Kinoton Platters ran the 35mm film, Dolby CP50 sound processor 4.1 mono surround in Screen 1 and Philips Sound processors in screens 2 and 3. There was a periscope system in screen 2 for the picture with a large mirror on a shelf above the seats which was a nightmare to clean . Screen 3 was small but sound and picture were always top notch through-out
I remember going to see Wayne's World 2 here when I was a teenager. Didn't really get to see the film as such, all you could hear was people yelling "schwing" and then there was a massive cinema wide popcorn fight. Total chaos! Funny memory though. Such a shame the building has been left to rot.
I left school in May 1980, and my first job was at this very cinema as a Trainee Projectionist. The head projectionist was a guy called Vick and there was also another guy who’s name I can’t remember. Something I do remember is that the week I started they were showing “Friday 13th” and “Mission Galactica - The Cylon Attack”. A fascinating place to work, but unfortunately, because I was only 16, I didn’t stay very long due to the hours being very anti-social. At that age you want to be with your mates, not working til midnight on a Saturday night. I always think it’s a massive shame that it closed down and think it’s even more of a shame that it’s still sitting empty and unloved. I often walk past it and wish that someone would return it to it’s former glory, but sadly, that’s not very likely. Multiplexes are all very well, but they don’t compare to the ‘old’ cinemas. The ABC was a fine cinema, even in the 70’s and 80’s and it’s sad to see it in the state it currently is.
Still unused after nearly 20 years. Shame. The Luton council must be terrible to let their high street go to rot like this. That building would be great as a church or theatre (e.g. Northampton). Again, a multiplex was originally to blame for its closure.
Nice little cinema and good to see it hasn’t at least been torn down. How many years after this video did it last for? Such a shame. Maybe the community should get itself together, raise some funds and community action and get it open again. Has it been anything else since it closed ?
It closed down in November 2000, and this looked it was from Christmas 1999, so another 11 months. I am *amazed* it even lasted for that long afterwards considered how quiet it look then. It is *however* gutting that the building has been nothing since it closure 22 years ago.
This so reminds me of my life as a Deputy Manager for the Odeon in Lowestoft and Romford in the late 70s and early 80s. The Lowestoft theatre was a beautiful unalteted Oscar Deutsch original seating 1800. Very quiet as were most cinemas at that time. But the showmanship was fantastic no rushing through like modern multiplexes. The Romford Odeon was a very busy venue and I moved there once the Lowestoft Odeon was demolished to make way for a crappy shopping centre. Strangely the old ABC Lowestoft still operates today as a live theatre having taken back it's original name The Marina Theatre. The Odeon Romford was frankly quite nasty...and it is now a Liquid Nightclub. I don't go to the cinema anymore, there's no showmanship the modern places are more like huge sweet shops that show films as an afterthought.
I used to work there as a projectionist in 1985 to 1987, The Chief projectionist was indeed Vic Harvey, Trevor Welton was the Senior Projectionist. Kinoton FP20 projectors and Kinoton Platters ran the 35mm film, Dolby CP50 sound processor 4.1 mono surround in Screen 1 and Philips Sound processors in screens 2 and 3. There was a periscope system in screen 2 for the picture with a large mirror on a shelf above the seats which was a nightmare to clean . Screen 3 was small but sound and picture were always top notch through-out
Amazed to ride past it a few weeks ago and find the building still unused. Remember going here as a kid
I remember going to see Wayne's World 2 here when I was a teenager. Didn't really get to see the film as such, all you could hear was people yelling "schwing" and then there was a massive cinema wide popcorn fight. Total chaos! Funny memory though. Such a shame the building has been left to rot.
I left school in May 1980, and my first job was at this very cinema as a Trainee Projectionist. The head projectionist was a guy called Vick and there was also another guy who’s name I can’t remember. Something I do remember is that the week I started they were showing “Friday 13th” and “Mission Galactica - The Cylon Attack”. A fascinating place to work, but unfortunately, because I was only 16, I didn’t stay very long due to the hours being very anti-social. At that age you want to be with your mates, not working til midnight on a Saturday night. I always think it’s a massive shame that it closed down and think it’s even more of a shame that it’s still sitting empty and unloved. I often walk past it and wish that someone would return it to it’s former glory, but sadly, that’s not very likely. Multiplexes are all very well, but they don’t compare to the ‘old’ cinemas. The ABC was a fine cinema, even in the 70’s and 80’s and it’s sad to see it in the state it currently is.
Omg I remember that carpet and the feeling of excitement getting that popcorn! I watched Jumanji and The Jurassic Park here!
Still unused after nearly 20 years. Shame. The Luton council must be terrible to let their high street go to rot like this. That building would be great as a church or theatre (e.g. Northampton). Again, a multiplex was originally to blame for its closure.
Nice little cinema and good to see it hasn’t at least been torn down. How many years after this video did it last for? Such a shame. Maybe the community should get itself together, raise some funds and community action and get it open again. Has it been anything else since it closed ?
unfortunately it has not been anything else since the cinema closed! It shut down the same year this documentary was made :(
It closed down in November 2000, and this looked it was from Christmas 1999, so another 11 months. I am *amazed* it even lasted for that long afterwards considered how quiet it look then. It is *however* gutting that the building has been nothing since it closure 22 years ago.
This so reminds me of my life as a Deputy Manager for the Odeon in Lowestoft and Romford in the late 70s and early 80s. The Lowestoft theatre was a beautiful unalteted Oscar Deutsch original seating 1800. Very quiet as were most cinemas at that time. But the showmanship was fantastic no rushing through like modern multiplexes. The Romford Odeon was a very busy venue and I moved there once the Lowestoft Odeon was demolished to make way for a crappy shopping centre. Strangely the old ABC Lowestoft still operates today as a live theatre having taken back it's original name The Marina Theatre. The Odeon Romford was frankly quite nasty...and it is now a Liquid Nightclub. I don't go to the cinema anymore, there's no showmanship the modern places are more like huge sweet shops that show films as an afterthought.
Saw me very first film here whilst visiting family. It was Free Willy lol.
And I don’t think it should be turned into a church either. Too many old cinemas have suffered that fate, including the old Odeon in Luton.
Who disliked this?!.